According to former Maple Leaf Mark Osborne, Frazer McLaren’s KO of Senators forward Dave Dziurzynski was reminiscent of the September 1997 pre-season scrap between Nick Kypreos and Ryan VandenBussche.

Let’s hope the repercussions are not the same.

On that fateful night almost 16 years ago, a bloodied Kypreos was left face down on the ice after absorbing a left-handed knockout punch from VandenBussche. It was a blow that would end Kypreos’ career.

The Sens would only say that Dziurzynski had suffered a concussion after being felled by a couple of flush McLaren blows just 26 seconds into the Leafs’ 5-4 victory at the Air Canada Centre on Wednesday, leaving the Sens forward lying motionless on his stomach.

A scary sight indeed.

“It’s two big guys going at it,” Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said. “The only thing I was thinking was that I wish the trainers could get out there faster.”

Senators general manager Bryan Murray did not understand why his player would seek to drop the gloves with an established tough guy like McLaren.

“I’ve been someone who has been against staged fights,” said Murray in disbelief.

For the record, McLaren said he asked the Sens player if he wanted to go and was told “not until the puck drops.”

Interesting theory by one scout on what the Leafs might do with Tyler Bozak, a pending unrestricted free agent. “I don’t think they’ll trade him at the deadline,” the scout said. “What are you going to get for an impending UFA? Not much. Keep him and hopefully make the playoffs. I don’t think they’ll re-sign him in the summer though. He’s going to want Ryan O’Reilly money ($4 million to $5 million per season) and I don’t think he’s worth it.” ... Meanwhile a twitter report late Wednesday night suggested the Leafs are going hard after Avs centre Paul Stastny, who might be available now that Colorado has locked up O’Reilly. Highly respected Denver Post beat scribe Adrian Dater acknowledged the report but would not confirm the story, although he does believe Stastny, 27, could be on the move. Stastny, who has six goals and seven assists this season, is slated to earn $6.6 million US next season. The son of former NHLer Peter Stastny, he has been linked to the Leafs in the past.

PHIL THRILLS

If Phil Kessel wanted to roll into Boston with some momentum en route to facing his former teammates, this was the way to do it.

With plenty of help from his linemates, Kessel was the first star with a goal and two assists.

The Leafs first line of Kessel, Bozak and James van Riemsdyk combined for seven points and has now produced goals in three consecutive games, all wins. The line’s success seems to come whenever JVR’s big body is perched in front of opposing goalies as a screen or he is at the edge of the crease to collect juicy rebounds like he did for his second period goal.

“When he goes hard to the net, it causes chaos for opposing defencemen,” Kessel said.

If they want to be effective against the Bruins Thursday night, JVR’s net presence will be a huge key. With Bruins captain Zdeno Chara assigned to follow Toronto’s No. 81 around the TD Garden, van Riemsdyk might be able to occupy the attention of the big Bruin around the Boston net just enough to give Kessel some of the open ice he thrives on.

Of course, that is easier said than done.

X'S AND WOES

The Leafs are 11-5 since Mike Komisarek was taken out of the lineup and banished to the press box ... Toronto’s defensive system completely broke down in the final 10 minutes of the game. Simply chipping pucks out of the zone is a fine game plan. When they start trying to make pretty passes when protecting leads, they get in trouble.

LAST MINUTE OF PLAY

Nice tribute to Stompin’ Tom Connors on video screen in the third period after his tune The Good Old Hockey Game was played. Connors passed away Wednesday. “That’s the best hockey song ever made,” Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf said. Coach Carlyle, a kid from the Sudbury area, referred to Connors’ song Sudbury Saturday Night. “I used to frequent some of the establishments he referred to,” Carlyle said. “Not so much anymore.”

KO of Senators' Dziurzynski reminiscent of Kypreos career-ender

According to former Maple Leaf Mark Osborne, Frazer McLaren’s KO of Senators forward Dave Dziurzynski was reminiscent of the September 1997 pre-season scrap between Nick Kypreos and Ryan VandenBussche.

Let’s hope the repercussions are not the same.

On that fateful night almost 16 years ago, a bloodied Kypreos was left face down on the ice after absorbing a left-handed knockout punch from VandenBussche. It was a blow that would end Kypreos’ career.

The Sens would only say that Dziurzynski had suffered a concussion after being felled by a couple of flush McLaren blows just 26 seconds into the Leafs’ 5-4 victory at the Air Canada Centre on Wednesday, leaving the Sens forward lying motionless on his stomach.

A scary sight indeed.

“It’s two big guys going at it,” Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said. “The only thing I was thinking was that I wish the trainers could get out there faster.”

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